Updated for 2011, this guide covers how to estimate, warranties and quantity discounts, an estimate form, design and engineering fees, service and installation hourly rates, a letter footage chart, and ...
San Antonio-based Southwest Signs has invested in the environment to make a difference, respect customer needs – and make a profit.
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By Guy Cox
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San Antonio, TX-based Southwest Signs is a full-service, sign-manufacturing company. Established in 1946, the company manages national, regional and local signage programs in many different industries. Our mission is to provide quality sign products and services that reflect our commitment to integrity and respect for customer needs. Committed to exceeding expectations, we recognize that satisfied customers are our future.
Our company discovered we can make a difference in our products by reducing power consumption and costs. Also, we want to give our customers what the public is demanding from them, which is a greener carbon footprint, as well as help them save money.
What prompted the big decision to go green? To be honest, I don’t believe it was one, big decision. We’ve added “green” over time. Our CEO, Chad Jones, has always found it important. Our green initiative just became public when we finally had a chance to impact our customer.
The decision to go green has affected every aspect of our business. Upfront, our environmental R&D approach has led to offering green solutions to our customers. In the design phase, we evaluate whether solar panels, LEDs and T8 lighting can be incorporated to save costs and cut energy consumption.
For example, this year, San Antonio’s North Central Baptist Hospital came to us with a problem. At night, visitors couldn’t see a sign in the parking lot because it wasn’t illuminated. Additionally, the hospital wanted to add a new sign to the lot. Because this was an established site, running electricity to the sign would’ve cost an estimated $20,000.
After having examined maximum conspicuity options, Southwest Signs suggested solar-powered signs to solve their problem, as well as help the hospital reduce power-consumption costs and impact the environment positively. So, our team manufactured a new, double-faced, internally illuminated cabinet and re-worked an existing, double-faced cabinet to be powered totally by solar energy. Both signs can be lit 12 hours a night.
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